“What do you mean, not technically?”
I’m not one to cause conflict, but I’m not going back to the negativity I had to deal with when I lived with my parents. “They stay here occasionally becausetheirgirlfriends live here with me.”
“Like that matters,” he says with attitude. “They’re still staying the night here.”
I put my hand up. “Stop.” I straighten my back, standing up taller. “I’ve tried my best not to judge you. I live with a group of friendly people and...” I pout. “At least I’ve never walked in on them having sex.”
His lip twitches as if he’s fighting a smile. “Okay, okay,” he says, but I’m not entirely convinced. He puts his arm around my shoulders like he always does and pulls me into him while we head to the house. He allows me room to walk in first.
I hear voices coming from the living room. “Shh... Shh... they’re coming inside.”
I tilt my head toward my roommates. “I’ll introduce you.”
He grasps my hand and links our fingers together. I smile at him, but his body’s still stiff.
When we walk into the living room, all my roommates and their boyfriends are sitting wide-eyed on the couch. “Hey... this is Axle,” I say and look back at him.
Axle is no longer his playful self. He’s drawn himself up to his full, intimidating height. He gives them a “hey” and a chin lift in greeting. I squeeze his hand.
I point to each roommate as I say their name. “That’s Lucy, Jeremy, Lia, Jasmine, Cindy, and Justin.”
“We’ve met,” says Jasmine.
Axle tilts his head and looks at her. “Have we?”
The boys cackle. “Ouch!” one says. Jasmine throws a pillow at him.
I pull Axle toward the kitchen and let them talk among themselves. “Do you want a drink?”
“Nah...” he says. He stands by the kitchen counter. “I’ll have food, though. What are you cooking for me, babe?”
I laugh.
He pulls a comical face. “It’s a serious question,” he deadpans. Him and his precious food.
“Sorry, I can’t cook.”
His face drops and he points to the front door. “Get out.”
I break into a smile. “What...? Why?”
“You can’t cook. I want a refund.”
I lean over and playfully swat his arm.Cheeky!“How about some peanut butter on toast?” I suggest with a hopeful smile.
He lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Yeah, I suppose that’ll do.”
I know he’s joking, and I chuckle. I pull out the bread and the peanut butter.
“Why do you take the tablets?” he asks, his voice laced with a hint of sadness.
I pause as I put the bread into the toaster. “It’s complicated.”
“Uncomplicate it for me. Help me understand.”
“I’ve been taking them since high school. My parents had high expectations of me to excel at school—and I put a lot of pressure on myself too. I think by the end of it I just burned myself out, and if you haven’t noticed...” I look down before making eye contact again. “I’m shy and super awkward. I struggle socially and with groups of people, but I’m trying.”
He steps over to me, grips the back of my head, and gives me a chaste kiss on the lips. He peers over my shoulder. “I think my toast is burning.”
